Did you know the average American consumes 10,6 pounds carrots each year? My dog Laika may even be close to that amount.
You can call me strange, but I love carrots plain. Sorry celery. Even more bizarre is the love my dog Laika has for carrots. Who knew that dogs could love carrots this much? I think it's because they are crunchy. What dog doesn't love crunchy treats?
Because they are low-calorie, easy to prepare and always on hand, carrots make my favorite veggie for dog treats. Did I mention that Laika loves carrots? She loves them so much that she drools. What's not love about them? They're tasty, healthy and inexpensive.
Still not convinced? Still not convinced? Here are 10 reasons why carrots can be used as dog treats.
Don't forget to give your dog carrots in moderation. Some dogs are more sensitive to changes in diet, which can lead to digestive problems.
1. Carrots contain beta-carotene
Beat-carotene, an antioxidant, helps to protect cells against damage. There is proof that dogs, especially young ones, are able absorb beta-carotene from their diet.
Beta-carotene's benefits for vision are also well-known. It is not known if beta-carotene improves your dog's vision, but there has been evidence that it can reduce their risk for developing cataracts.
2. Carrots are a great source of Vitamin A
Vitamin A is fat-soluble and is stored in the fat cells of the body. It is most commonly found within the liver. Vitamin A is good for your dog's eyesight, growth, metabolism and can keep their skin & coat healthy.
There is the possibility of vitamin A toxicity, although it's rare. Be mindful of the proportions when feeding any treat. You can add carrots to your dog's diet as a supplement, but not as a substitute.
Vitamin A is the second vitamin in which excessive supplementation can be harmful. We have not seen any cases of toxicosis caused by oversupplementation, and toxicosis in dogs has only been shown under experimental conditions. – Vitamins D, K, A, and E in Dogs
3. Carrots are low in calories & fat
Do you want to give your dog a treat that is low in calories? The carrot is a great choice. Carrots are easy to cut into small pieces and contain very little fat.
A medium carrot contains 25 calories, 6 g of carbohydrates, and 2 g of fiber. One carrot contains more than 200% your daily vitamin A requirement. – Carrots Fun Facts WebMD
My favorite dog treat is carrots because they are low in calories and healthy.
4. It is easy to grow carrots in the garden
What vegetable is on every ” Easy Vegetables To Grow ” list? Yep, it's carrots. Even for garden novices like me, carrots are easy to grow. One drawback of carrots is that they don't grow as large, particularly if you plant them in rocky ground.
5. Carrots are a common household staple
Carrots are always readily available, so I can use them as treats for my dogs. I never have to worry if I run out of treats, because carrots are always available.
If I don't have any dog treats but want to teach Laika a new trick, I will just cut up a couple of carrots. If she seems bored, I will chop up some carrots and play “find the treat.”
6. Carrots are inexpensive
Whole carrots are one of my favorite foods when it comes to cost. The average price of carrots per pound is $.67 in the United States, while baby carrots cost $1.27.
7. Carrots are high in Sobule fiber
Biber has many benefits, even though it is not considered essential for your dog. It can be used to treat digestive problems such as diarrhea and constipation, control diabetes, and manage weight.
8. Raw carrots are a great dog chew
It's difficult to find a better treat for dogs who love to chew (Laika is one of them). They're low in calories, so they make a great little treat for dogs who love to chew.
Remember that dogs cannot easily digest carrots. It is not uncommon to find carrot pieces undigested in their feces. If your dog has digestive problems, you might want to use smaller pieces of carrots or puree the carrots.
By removing food particles from your dog's teeth and increasing saliva, carrots can help to prevent plaque buildup. Remember that dental problems are not prevented by treats alone.
The best way to prevent dental problems is by brushing your dog's teeth every day and getting them professionally cleaned if necessary.
9. Carrots make great Kong Stuffers
Kong Stuffing is one of my favourite boredom busters. I put some peanut butter or low-sodium broth in the Kong as a base and then fill it up with healthy treats like chopped carrots.
You can make it more difficult by freezing broth and carrots in a Kong. Laika will be entertained for at least 30 mins with frozen Kongs.
10. Carrots are easy to prepare
Dogs cannot digest cellulose that surrounds the cells of carrots. Raw carrots are a good source of nutrients for dogs, but the cellulose in them prevents this.
To get the maximum nutritional benefit from carrots, they should be pureed or cooked.
Raw carrots have very few calories and very little fat. It's just that they are more nutrient-dense for dogs after being cooked or pureed, since the process breaks down cellulose to make more nutrients available.
Be careful when giving your dog whole carrots. Depending on how well the dog chews before swallowing, carrots may cause choking.
Does Your Dog Love Carrots?
Does Laika love carrots alone? Does your dog get excited when you mention carrots? What are your dog's favorite fruits and vegetables?